Dispenser

ABSTRACT

A dispenser or dispensing system. The dispenser can be a screw conveyor pill dispenser, tumbler pill dispenser, push-to-operate pill cap dispenser, twist-to-operate pill cap dispenser, or push-to-operate pill cap dispenser. The pill dispenser may include a pill dispenser control system that can interact with a personal device, such as a smart phone. The pill dispenser control system can implement communication with a personal device, pill identification, user identification and security, scheduling functions, and notifications. The pill dispenser can dispense pills manually, semi-automatically, or automatically.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dispenser system including one ormore dispensers.

Virtually everyone consumes prescription medication or over-the-countervitamins or supplements at one time or another. One issue that theindustry faces is related to compliance in taking the medication,supplement, vitamin, etc. Often, consumers buy multivitamins, fish oil,vitamin C, etc., yet only take them 30-60% of the recommended orprescribed time. A device that can automatically or otherwise facilitatedispensing the pills associated with an individual may increasecompliance.

There can be hygiene issues with conventional pill bottles. Typically, aperson opens the bottle and pours the pills into their hand; any excesspills are returned to the bottle. If the bottle is for a single user,this may not be an issue. However, often a bottle is accessible to manyindividuals; for example, a communal aspirin bottle in an office. It canbe unsanitary for multiple people to touch and subsequently replace thepills, especially given that the person may be sick.

In the case of multiple users, convenience is also a factor. Each userhas their own prescriptions and preferences of pills they take.Purchasing separate pill bottles of the same pills—one for each user isinefficient and cost ineffective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention provides an electro-mechanical screwconveyor pill dispenser. The screw conveyor pill dispenser may include apill container, a screw conveyor including an axle, a scoop assembly,and a motor. In operation, the motor rotates the screw conveyor axle. Asthe screw is rotated, one or more pills ride up the bottom angledsurface of the pill container. Near the end of the pill container, ascoop assembly coupled to the axle scoops up the pill and dispenses itout an opening in the pill container. A sensor may be included to detectdispensing of a pill and shut off the motor. The scoop assembly mayinclude a wall for sealing the pill container after dispensing a pill.

Some embodiments of the electro-mechanical screw conveyor are modularand can be expanded by adding modules vertically and/or horizontally.The modules and base unit can include electrical contacts or wirelesspower for transferring power or data therebetween.

One embodiment of the screw conveyor pill dispenser includes anintegrated screw pill container that rotates as a unit. In thisembodiment, a disposable or reusable pill container may include helicalpill guides that act as a screw conveyor when a motor rotates the entirepill container.

Some embodiments of the screw conveyor pill dispenser can accommodate anadjustable scoop assembly. For example, different scoop assemblies withdifferent size scoops can be removably attached to the screw conveyoraxle. In an alternative embodiment, a scoop assembly can be selectivelyadjustable to different scoop sizes.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a tumbler pilldispenser. The tumbler pill dispenser includes a pill containerincluding one or more pockets, a shroud having an opening, and a gear.The pill container can be rotated via the gear in order to dispense oneor more pills. The shroud 25 can restrict pills from dispensing untilthe pill container 24 is rotated to an ejecting location where the pillcontainer pocket and the shroud opening align. The gear can be rotatedmanually or by a motor. Multiple tumbler pill dispensers can be arrangedside-by-side to form a dispenser system. Power and or communication canbe passed therebetween via electrical contacts or wirelessly. In someembodiments, the pill container for the tumbler pill dispenser can besold separately as a sealed pill package for installation into a tumblerpill dispenser.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a single pill dispenserthat is a push-to-operate type pill dispenser. The dispenser includes aninner housing, an outer housing, and one or more spring members disposedbetween the inner and outer housings. The inner housing has a side wallwith a window formed therethrough, a threaded neck adapted to mount toan externally threaded bottle, and a funnel-shaped interior chambercommunicating between the neck and the window. The outer housing has aside wall with a dispenser window formed therethrough, and a ledgedisposed below the dispenser window. In use, depressing the bottlealigns the window and dispenser window such that a pill in the interiorchamber falls through the aligned windows and onto the ledge fordispensing to a user. According to another embodiment, the dispenserscan be of different size based on the size of the pill, and multipleunits can be placed together to create a family or grouping of pilldispensers. Further, the dispensers can have LEDs to notify the userthat a pill needs to be taken. An accelerometer can count how many pillshave been dispensed and the LED can indicate that pills need to bereordered.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a pill dispenser thatis a twist-to-operate type pill dispenser. A first embodiment of thepill dispenser includes a rotatable cap, a threaded collar, and arotating funnel. The rotatable cap has a dispensing window therethrough.The threaded collar includes an intermediate window, a center hole, andan internally threaded flange adapted to mount to an externally threadedbottle. The rotating funnel has an interior window and a funnel thattapers toward the interior window. In use, turning the cap selectivelyaligns the dispensing window, intermediate window, and interior window,such that when the bottle is inverted or angled up-side down a pill inthe bottle falls through the aligned windows for dispensing to a user.

A second embodiment of the twist-to-operate type pill dispenser includesa housing and a rotatable cap that has a dispensing window. The housingincludes at least two funnels that transition from a lower surface to anupper surface of the housing and define at least two openingstherethrough. The housing also includes a threaded collar adapted tomount to an externally threaded bottle. In use, rotating the capselectively aligns the dispensing window and one of the at least twoopenings of the funnels, such that when the bottle is inverted or angledup-side down a pill contained within the bottle falls through thealigned dispensing window and opening for dispensing to a user.

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a pill dispenserthat is a flip-to-operate type pill dispenser. The pill dispenserincludes a hinged cap and a housing. The cap has a ramped surface on aninterior thereof and is hingedly mounted to the housing. The housingincludes a tray, an opening, and an internally threaded collar adaptedto mount to an externally threaded bottle. In use, inverting the bottlecauses a pill contained within the bottle to fall through the housingopening and be directed by the ramp on the interior of the cap towardthe tray for dispensing to a user. This makes it easy to grab a singlepill. Further, LEDs could be incorporated into the design to notify theuser that there has not been a pill dispensed in a given amount of time.

These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention willbe more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the descriptionof the current embodiment and the drawings.

Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited to the details ofoperation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of thecomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodimentsand of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways notexpressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant toencompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well asadditional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may beused in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwiseexpressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed aslimiting the invention to any specific order or number of components.Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from thescope of the invention any additional steps or components that might becombined with or into the enumerated steps or components. Any referenceto claim elements as “at least one of X, Y and Z” is meant to includeany one of X, Y or Z individually, and any combination of X, Y and Z,for example, X, Y, Z; X, Y; X, Z; and Y, Z.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a screwconveyor dispenser.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the screw conveyor dispenser.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the screw conveyor dispenser.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a verticallystackable screw conveyor dispenser.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the vertically stackable screwconveyor dispenser.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cut-away view of the vertically stackable screwconveyor dispenser.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a horizontally and verticallystackable screw conveyor dispenser.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a pill dispenser and pill bottleaccording to one aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the pill dispenser and pill bottle of FIG.8.

FIG. 10 is perspective view of multiple pill dispensers and pillbottles, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a pill dispenser and pill bottleaccording to one aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the pill dispenser and pill bottle ofFIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a pill dispenser and pill bottleaccording to one aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of the pill dispenser of FIG. 13,illustrating an open position, and including a pill.

FIG. 14B is a perspective view of a housing of the pill dispenser ofFIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the pill dispenser and pill bottle ofFIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the pill dispenser and pill bottle ofFIG. 13, illustrating an open position, and including a pill.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a mechanical tumbler pill dispenser.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a mechanical tumbler pill dispenser inan actuated position.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an electro-mechanical tumbler pilldispenser.

FIG. 20 is an exploded view of an electro-mechanical tumbler pilldispenser.

FIG. 21A is a cut-away view of an electro-mechanical tumbler pilldispenser showing operation.

FIG. 21B is a cut-away view of an electro-mechanical tumbler pilldispenser showing the dispensing angle.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a mechanical tumbler pill dispenserwith tray catch.

FIGS. 23A-C are perspective views of the pill dispenser and pill bottleof FIG. 11, illustrating open and closed positions of the pilldispenser.

FIG. 24A is a top view of the pill dispenser and pill bottle of FIG. 13,illustrating the opened position of the pill dispenser.

FIG. 24B is a side perspective view of the pill dispenser and pillbottle of FIG. 13, illustrating the closed position of the pilldispenser.

FIG. 25 is front view of multiple pill dispensers and pill bottles ofFIG. 10.

FIG. 26A illustrates a front view of a horizontally and verticallystackable screw conveyor dispenser.

FIG. 26B illustrates a perspective view of a horizontally and verticallystackable screw conveyor dispenser.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a horizontally stacked tumbler pilldispenser.

FIGS. 28A-D illustrate personal device screenshots relating to pilldispenser control system scheduling.

FIG. 29 illustrates a logic category diagram of pill identification.

FIG. 30A illustrates a perspective view of a horizontally stackablescrew conveyor with a flat surface travel container configuration.

FIG. 30B illustrates a perspective view of a horizontally stackablescrew conveyor with a removable and slidable travel containerconfiguration.

FIG. 31 illustrates a side view of a vertically stackable screw conveyorwith lighting.

FIG. 32 illustrates a side view of a plurality of tumbler pilldispensers and a connection point to share electrical power and databetween units.

FIG. 33 illustrates a cut away view of an electro-mechanical tumblerpill dispenser with lighting.

FIG. 34 illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of tumbler pilldispensers and a master unit.

FIG. 35 illustrates an exploded view of a plurality of tumbler pilldispensers and a master unit.

FIG. 36 illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of tumbler pilldispensers and a master unit with a removable travel container.

FIGS. 37A-D illustrate various communication scenarios between apersonal device and pill dispensers.

FIG. 38A illustrates a communication scenario with a personal devicehaving a switch for modulating.

FIG. 38B illustrates a communication scenario between a pill capdispenser and a personal device.

FIG. 39 illustrates a security scenario between a personal device and apill dispenser system.

FIG. 40 illustrates a logic diagram of automatic pill identification anda Raman spectroscopy graph.

FIG. 41 illustrates a perspective view of a screw conveyor pilldispenser with the angle of the pill container.

FIG. 42 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative screw conveyordispenser with an integrated screw pill container.

FIG. 43A illustrates a pill container having an integrated pillidentifier and system for reading same.

FIG. 43B illustrates a top view of a hinge/spring actuator.

FIG. 43C illustrates a perspective view of a hinge/spring actuator.

FIG. 44 illustrates a communication path between a pill container, pilldispenser, and personal device including the Internet.

FIG. 45 illustrates a perspective view of three different size scoopsfor use with a screw conveyor dispenser.

FIG. 46 illustrates a block diagram of a control system for a dispenser.

FIG. 47 illustrates a block diagram of a control system for a dispenserand control system for a device.

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of a pill dispenser according to anotheraspect of the present invention.

FIG. 49 is a lower perspective view of the pill dispenser of FIG. 48.

FIG. 50 is a bottom view of the pill dispenser of FIG. 48.

FIG. 51 illustrates a perspective view of an adjustable scoop for usewith a screw conveyor dispenser.

FIG. 52 illustrates a perspective view of a pill container with aremovable seal.

FIG. 53 illustrates horizontally and vertically stackable screw conveyordispenser and a travel pill container according to another aspect of thepresent invention.

FIG. 54 illustrates filling of the travel pill container of FIG. 53.

FIG. 55 illustrates horizontally and vertically stackable screw conveyordispenser and a removable tray according to another aspect of thepresent invention.

FIG. 56 illustrates removing the removable tray of FIG. 55.

FIG. 57 illustrates using the removable tray of FIG. 55 to fill a travelpill container.

FIG. 58 is a perspective view of a pill dispenser according to anotheraspect of the present invention.

FIG. 59 is a bottom view of the pill dispenser of FIG. 58.

FIG. 60 is a front view of the pill dispenser of FIG. 58.

FIG. 61 is a cross-sectional view of the pill dispenser taken along line61-61 of FIG. 60.

FIG. 62 is a perspective view of the pill dispenser of FIG. 58,illustrating a push bar in a raised, dispensing position.

FIG. 63 is a bottom view of the pill dispenser of FIG. 62.

FIG. 64 is a front view of the pill dispenser of FIG. 62.

FIG. 65 is a cross-sectional view of the pill dispenser taken along line65-65 of FIG. 64.

FIG. 66 is a bottom perspective view of the pill dispenser of FIG. 58.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT

The present invention is directed to a variety of manual,semi-automatic, and automatic dispensers that can regulate or restrictthe number of pills dispensed. One aspect of the invention is directedto a screw conveyer and scoop dispenser. Another aspect of the inventionis directed to a ratchet and scoop dispenser. Yet another aspect of theinvention is directed to a push-to-operate dispenser. Yet another aspectof the invention is directed to a twist-to-operate dispenser. Yetanother aspect of the invention is directed to a flip-to-operatedispenser.

Although the present invention is described largely in the context ofdispensing pills, it should be understood that the dispensers can beconfigured to dispense essentially any article or pill sized item. Forexample, the dispensers can dispense a variety of different articles,such as pills, capsules, tablets, caplets, candy and other similarlyshaped items, such as capsule shaped articles, oval shaped articles,spherical shaped articles, lozenge shaped articles, or STD Cup. Toprovide some examples, the dispensers can dispense multi-vitamins, heartrate medication, diabetes medication, vitamin C pills, Nutrilite DoubleX, Nutrilite Vitamin C Plus, Nutrilite Cal Mag D Advanced, NutriliteNatural B Complex, Nutrilite Lecithin-E Chewables, Nutrilite VisionHealth w/Lutein, Nutrilite Glucosamine 7, or other supplements.

The dispensers may include a control system with a variety ofcomponents. For example, some embodiments may include a control systemwith a controller 1002, a sensor system 1004, a communication system1006, an input 1010, an output 1008, and a power source or powerconnector 1012, as depicted in FIG. 46 or 47. The control system 1000may be configured to provide automatic dispensing, semi-automaticdispensing, security, communication, pill identification, useridentification and security, notification, or other functionality. Inone embodiment, the control system can be configured to dispense asingle pill or a pre-defined number of pills.

A dispenser may communicate with a mobile device, such as a smart phone,laptop, or weight management device. The device may include a controlsystem 1020. For example, the control system may include a sensor system1024, a communication system 1022, and a power source or power connector1032.

A number of different embodiments of dispensers are discussed below.After that, a number of features that can be incorporated into thevarious constructions are discussed.

I. Screw Conveyer Dispenser

Several embodiments of one aspect of the invention directed to anelectro-mechanical screw conveyor pill dispenser are depicted in FIGS.1-7, 26A-26B, 30-31, 41-42, 45, and 47. FIGS. 1-3 and 41 depict oneembodiment a screw conveyor pill dispenser. FIGS. 4-6 and 31 depict avertically stackable screw conveyor pill dispenser. FIGS. 7, 26A, and26B depict one embodiment of a horizontally and vertically stackablescrew conveyor pill dispenser. FIG. 30 depicts one embodiment of ahorizontally stackable screw conveyor for use with a travel pillcontainer. FIG. 42 depicts one embodiment of a screw conveyor pilldispenser with an integrated screw pill container. FIG. 45 illustratesdifferent size scoops for use with a screw conveyor pill dispenser. FIG.51 illustrates an adjustable scoop for use with a screw conveyor pilldispenser.

The screw conveyor pill dispenser depicted in FIGS. 1-3 and 41 includesa base cover 1, a module cap 2, a screw conveyor 3, a pill container cap4, a scoop assembly 5, a pill container or hopper 6, a button 7, adispensing tube 8, and a pill tray 9.

The screw conveyor pill dispenser embodiments may include electricalcomponents. For example, FIG. 46 illustrates a block diagram ofelectrical components that may be included in any of the screw conveyorpill dispenser embodiments. Specifically, the dispenser may include acontrol system 1000 that includes a controller 1002, a sensor system1004, a communication system 1006, an output 1008, an input 1010, apower source or connector 1012, and a motor 1014. The electricalcomponents may be included on a circuit board or connect to the circuitboard via wiring.

In operation, the screw conveyor pill dispenser or base unit utilizes aDC motor to rotate the screw 3. Due to the angle in which the screw isorientated, one or more pills ride up the side of the pill container onthe screw. In the depicted embodiment, the angle of the screw is 42degrees from the base of the screw conveyor pill dispenser and the angleof the bottom of the pill container to the base unit is 48 degrees,perhaps as best illustrated in FIG. 41. This angle is sufficient toprevent pills from gathering towards the opening in the exit hole andthe possibility of dispensing a pill before the scoop assembly scoopsone up to dispense. This angle is also sufficient to ensure pills travelup the screw.

As the pill reaches the top of the pill container 6, the scoop assembly5 scoops the pill and dispenses it out the exit chute 8 through theopening 10 in the pill container 6. If the scoop assembly 5 scoops morethan one pill, the angle of the pill container 6 and gravity cause allbut one pill to fall back down into the pill container 6. As the scoopassembly 5 rotates about the screw axis 14 and dispenses a pill, thepill exits through opening 10 of the pill container 6 into thedispensing tube 8 where it passes by a sensor 11 (e.g., an opticalsensor or photo eye) that recognizes the pill and triggers the motor tostop.

Although the current embodiment utilizes an optical sensor, alternativeembodiments may utilize a different type of sensor to determine that apill has been dispensed.

In one embodiment, the time it takes a pill to exit the pill container 6and travel down the dispensing tube 8 before passing by the sensor 11 isapproximately equal to the time it takes the scoop assembly 5 to pass bythe opening 10 in the pill container 6 such that the scoop assembly wall16 covers the opening 10 in the pill container 6. The scoop assemblywall 16 can cover the opening 10 of the pill container 6 and seal itshut to assist in keeping the pills in the pill container 6 fresh andassist in ensuring the life and efficacy of the pills. In the currentembodiment, the motor speed can be selected to be about 45 RPM so thatby the time the motor shuts off in response to the dispensing of thepill the scoop assembly wall 16 substantially covers the opening 10 inthe pill container 6.

In one embodiment, an oxygen scavenger or oxygen absorber may beincluded in the pill container in order to help remove or decrease thelevel of oxygen in the pill container. The oxygen scavenger or absorbermay be provided in a packet that can ride up the screw conveyor with thepills, but will not be dispensed due to its size and shape. Movement andcirculation of the oxygen scavenger or absorber can increase itseffectiveness at removing the oxygen from the pill container resultingin increased efficacy of the pills.

The pill passes by a sensor and dispenses into the pill tray 9. Thesensor can communicate that a pill has been dispensed and cause themotor to shut off.

The screw conveyor pill dispenser can be stacked vertically,horizontally, or vertically and horizontally with additional screwconveyor pill dispenser modules. FIGS. 4-6 illustrate one embodiment ofa vertically stacked screw conveyor pill dispenser. FIG. 30 illustratesone embodiment of a horizontally stacked screw conveyor pill dispenser.FIGS. 7, 26A, and 26B illustrate one embodiment of a screw conveyor pilldispenser that is horizontally and vertically stacked.

The stacked embodiments each include one or more base screw conveyorpill dispensers and one or more screw conveyor pill dispenser modules.The base screw conveyor pill dispenser includes generally the samecomponents as described above in connection with the screw conveyor pilldispenser of FIGS. 1-3. In some embodiments, the screw conveyor pilldispenser modules and base unit form a dispensing chute 52 that candirect pills from the dispensing tubes 8 to the pill dispenser tray 9.Perhaps as best shown in FIG. 6, a pill can travel down a dispensingtube 8 into a base 30 or module 32, 34. Each module 32, 34, lines up tothe next for a smooth transition to the next module. Each module andbase assembly may include a photo eye or other sensor to recognize thata pill has passed, which allows the scoop assembly 5 of each module andbase to seal its respective pill container.

Each module may include its own power source or alternatively, themodules can be configured to transfer power from one module to the next.In this way, the entire assembly can be powered by one power connectoror source in a base unit. In order to facilitate this configuration, thebase screw conveyor pill dispenser and the module screw conveyor pilldispensers may include contacts for transferring power and/orcommunication between modules or between the base and a module. Perhapsas best shown in FIG. 5, a first module 32 can be stacked on top of thebase 30 such that the bottom set of contacts 38 on the module 32 contactthe set of contacts 36 on the base 30 and allow power, communication, orpower and communication to pass between the base and the module. In asimilar fashion, the bottom set of contacts 42 on a second module cancontact the top set of contacts 40 on the first module to allow power,communication, or power and communication to pass between the firstmodule and the second module. The cap 2 may cover the top set ofcontacts 44 on the second module. Although two modules are depicted, inalternative embodiments, additional modules may be stacked on top of thesecond module.

Vertically stacked pill dispensers can also be stacked horizontally asdepicted in FIGS. 7, 26A, and 26B. In the depicted embodiment, the baseunits may include electrical contacts 2600 or wireless power coils onboth sides such that base units can be set adjacent to each other andtransfer power and/or communication.

FIG. 30A depicts one embodiment where several screw conveyor dispensersare stacked horizontally with a flat pill tray 9 to accommodate a travelpill container. In operation the travel pill container can be slid onthe flat pill tray 9 surfaces to position the dispensing tube 8 exit forone of the travel pill containers. The travel pill container can be slidhorizontally with respect to the dispensing tube 8 exit so that entireweek's pills can be dispensed easily into the pill container. In thisway, a travel pill container can be filled conveniently.

FIG. 30B shows an electro-mechanical screw conveyor pill dispenser thatis expanded horizontally with the addition of a travel pill tray. Eachday of the travel tray could be separated from the full week tray. Thesingle tray section for a specific day can be slid into the base tocapture the pills being dispensed from the hopper. The single day traycan have a lid that slides to open the compartment of that tray. Also,while the single day tray is sliding into the base to capture the pillsit can also push back and hide a base travel tray cover.

Referring now to FIGS. 53-54, several screw conveyor dispensers arestacked horizontally and vertically with a flat pill tray 9 toaccommodate an embodiment of a travel pill container 200. The travelpill container 200 can be slid horizontally with respect to thedispensing tube 8 exit so that entire week's pills can be dispensedeasily into the travel pill container 200. The travel pill container 200can have multiple single day pill containers with lids that can slideopen such that the appropriate daily pills can be dispensed into thedaily pill containers.

FIGS. 55-57 show another embodiment of a flat pill tray 209 thatincludes a removable tray 210. The removable tray 210 includes a lip 212that extends substantially around the perimeter thereof. The removabletray 210 also includes a notch 214 through the lip 212 and a raisedhandle 216 portion. Pills that have been dispensed from the hopper landon the removable tray 210, which then can be removed using the handle216. The lip 212 keeps the pills from spilling off the removable tray210, yet the pills can be poured into the travel pill containers throughthe notch 214.

FIG. 31 shows that each pill dispenser can light up using LEDs. As willbe discussed in more detail below, each module can individually indicatewhich pills are ready to be taken or indicate when pills have not beentaken for an extended period of time.

In some embodiments, the screw conveyor can be integrated with the pillcontainer. For example, as shown in FIG. 42, the pill container 150 canbe molded with the screw windings 152 along the inner surface of thecontainer. In the depicted embodiment, the bottom of the pill container150 interfits or locks with the screw axle 154 such that when the motor(not shown) drives the screw axle 154 the entire pill container andtherefore the screw windings 152 rotate. In the depicted embodiment, thepill container 150 includes a molded keyed socket or threaded drive 156that locks on the molded keyed bottom 154.

In contrast to the FIGS. 1-3 embodiment where the pill container remainsstationary as the screw conveyor turns, in this embodiment the entirepill container rotates with the integrated screw windings. In thisembodiment, similar to the FIGS. 1-3 embodiment, as the internal helicalpill guide or screw windings rotate pills ride up the screw windingsalong the edge of the pill container until they reach the top of thepill container.

The pill container 150 may include threads or a snap ring 158 forinterfacing with a pill container cover 160. The FIG. 42 embodiment mayinclude a scoop assembly for dispensing pills into the dispensing tube162 as they reach the top of the pill container as discussed above inconnection with other embodiments.

FIG. 45 illustrates one embodiment of an adjustable scoop assembly. Inthe FIG. 45 embodiment, the adjustable scoop assembly 170 includes threedifferent size scoop assemblies that can be selectively installed on theend of the screw conveyor axle. The first scoop assembly 172 includes ascoop 182 sized to scoop up large pills, the second scoop assembly 174includes a scoop 184 sized to scoop up medium sized pills, and the thirdscoop assembly 176 includes a scoop 186 sized to scoop up small pills.In the depicted embodiment, all three scoop assemblies include a scoopassembly wall 16 for sealing the pill container after a pill isdispensed. Further, all three scoop assemblies include a socket forinterfacing with the screw conveyor axle such that when the screwconveyor axle is rotated, the scoop assembly rotates.

Another embodiment of an adjustable scoop assembly is illustrated inFIG. 51. In this embodiment, the size of the scoop of the scoop assemblyis adjustable. The depicted adjustable scoop includes a socket portionsized to fit over the screw conveyor axle such that rotation of thescrew conveyor axle results in ration of the adjustable scoop assembly.The adjustable scoop assembly includes a movable arm 2002 that can slidethrough an opening 2004 in the scoop 2004 to adjust the size or shape ofarticle that the scoop can receive.

II. Tumbler Dispenser

Several embodiments of one aspect of the invention directed to amechanical or electro-mechanical tumbler pill dispenser are depicted inFIGS. 17-22, 27, and 32-36. FIGS. 17-18 depict one embodiment of amechanical tumbler pill dispenser. FIG. 22 depicts another embodiment ofa mechanical tumbler pill dispenser. FIGS. 19-21, and 33 depict anelectro-mechanical tumbler pill dispenser. FIGS. 27 and 32 depict oneembodiment of a horizontally expandable tumbler pill dispenser. FIG.34-36 depict another embodiment of a horizontally expandable tumblerpill dispenser.

FIG. 19 illustrates an electro-mechanical tumbler pill dispenser withthe tray 130 closed. The pill dispenser housing lid 23 and the mainhousing 27 may include labels. The electro-mechanical tumbler pilldispenser can dispense pills automatically or semi-automatically. In anautomatic embodiment, the tumbler pill dispenser may include a controlsystem capable of communicating with a device and dispensing pills uponproximity detection. In a semi-automatic embodiment, the tumbler pilldispenser may include a control system capable of communicating with adevice and dispense pills upon instructions from a device or may includea button or other actuator that operates the motor to dispense one ormore pills in response to activation.

Perhaps as best shown in the exploded view of FIG. 20, theelectro-mechanical tumbler pill dispenser includes a housing lid 23, apill container 24 with one or more pockets 120, a shroud 25 including anopening 122, a large gear 26, a main housing 27 with a dispensingconduit 124, an electric motor 28, a small gear 29, and a movable tray30. The lid 23 can snap on to the main housing 27 capturing the pillsand internal components of the tumbler pill dispenser. The pillcontainer or dish 24 may contain a plurality of pills and can be rotatedin order to dispense one or more pills. The shroud 25 can restrict pillsfrom dispensing until the pill container 24 is rotated to an ejectinglocation. The larger gear interfaces with the pill container 24 and asmaller gear 29 that is rotated by an electric motor 28. The tray 30 canslide to open and close. The main housing 27 may include a photo eye orother sensor to identify a pill has been dispensed.

FIG. 21A shows how one embodiment of an electro-mechanical tumbler pilldispenser functions. In operation, the motor 28 rotates the small gear29, which in turn rotates the large gear 26, which is fixed to the pillcontainer 24, causing the pill container 24 to rotate. In the depictedembodiment, the rotation of the pill container 24 is counter-clockwiseas shown in FIG. 21A. As pill container 24 rotates, pills in the pillcontainer tumble and eventually one or more pills nests into pocket 120.The pocket 120 can be sized to fit a specific size and shape pill orpills. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the pocket 120 is sizedto fit a single pill. In alternative embodiments, the pocket can besized to fit two or more pills, commensurate with a desired dosage forthat type of pill. As the pill container 24 rotates, the pill in thepocket 120 slides down the pocket resting against the shroud wall 25. Asthe pill container 24 rotates and the opening 122 in the shroud 25aligns with the pocket 120, gravity assists the pill in sliding down thesurface of the pill container pocket 120 through the opening 122 of theshroud 25 and through the dispensing conduit 124 to the dispensing tray30. The angle of the opening 122 of the shroud 25 is illustrated in FIG.21B. In the current embodiment this 131 degree angle was selected forproviding a desired movement of the pill from the pocket 120 through theopening 122 of the shroud. In alternative embodiments, a differentangle, larger or smaller, may be selected.

The tumbler pill dispenser can be mechanically operated instead of beingoperated by a motor. FIGS. 17-18 illustrate a mechanical tumbler pilldispenser embodiment with a finger operated trigger 180 to dispense. Thetrigger 180 is mechanically coupled to gear 129 by way of catch 181 suchthat movement of the trigger 180 results in rotation of gear 29 andultimately dispenses a pill, similar to how rotation of gear 29 in theelectro-mechanical embodiment results in dispensing of a pill. Thetrigger 180 can rotate depending on how many ejecting locations orpockets 120 are present. 360 degrees divided by the amount of ejectionlocations can determine the degree of rotation. In an alternativemechanical tumbler pill dispenser embodiment illustrated in FIG. 22, thetray 1330 is mechanically coupled to the small gear 1329, such thatsliding of the tray 1330 rotates the gear 1329 and ultimately dispense apill, similar to how rotation of gear 1329 in the electro-mechanicalembodiment. The mechanical coupling can be accomplished with a catch1301 on the tray 1330 that pulls on the small gear 1329 inside of thepill dispenser and manually rotates the gear.

In one embodiment, the tumbler pill dispenser can be expandedhorizontally as illustrated in FIGS. 27 and 32. FIGS. 27 and 32 show howmultiple pill dispensers can attach and interface with each other. Forexample, the pill dispensers may include physical or magnetic couplersfor aligning the tumbler pill dispensers.

In the depicted embodiment, the pill dispensers share the same profileshape but are sized for different depths in order to fit smaller/largerquantity/size pills. That is, a plurality of tumbler pill dispensers canbe arranged horizontally to accommodate a variety of different types orsizes of pills. Further, the pill container or drum may be soldseparately in disposable containers that can be inserted into thetumbler pill dispenser. The pill container for use in a tumbler pilldispenser can be heat, shrink, vacuum, or otherwise sealed in order toimprove the life and efficacy of the pills.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 52, the pill container 2500 isremovably sealed by way of a seal 2502. In the depicted embodiment, theremovable seal 2502 covers the ejecting locations 2504 where the pockets2520 are located and also covers the container opening 2506. In thedepicted embodiment, the removable seal 2502 is a two part seal where afirst portion 2510 of the seal removably seals the opening 2506 on thetop of the container 2500 and another portion 2512 of the seal removablyseals the ejecting locations 2504. The two part seal enables thecontainer to be used as a conventional pill container or a container foruse with a tumbler pill dispenser. By removing the first portion 2510 ofthe seal, a user can gain access to the pill container in a traditionalmanner. Alternatively, the second portion of the seal 2512 or first andsecond portions of the seal 2512 can be removed so that the container2500 can be installed in a pill dispenser tumbler. In this way, thecontainer 2500 can be utilized as a conventional pill container or as apill container for a tumbler pill dispenser.

In alternative embodiments, the removable seal 2502 may be a one pieceseal that seals both the opening 2506 of the container and the ejectinglocations 2504. In yet another embodiment, the container may not includean opening 2506 (e.g. the container 2500 may include a secured orintegral lid covering the top of the pill container) and the containermay be removably sealed by a seal that covers the ejecting locations2504. The seal can be tape or another removable seal as shown in FIG. 52as seal 2512. The pill dispenser pockets can be sized for a particularpill or pill size, but interact with a generic tumbler pill dispensershroud, housing, and motor. A travel tray can be stored on a centermodule, ready for use.

The tumbler pill dispensers of FIGS. 27 and 32 can be mechanical orelectro-mechanical. FIG. 32 shows how the pill dispensers can interfacewith each other, by stacking alongside each other and have electricalcontacts 32 that serve as a connection point to share electrical powerand data between units. In an electro-mechanical embodiment, the tumblerpill dispensers may each include a power source or power connector and amotor. Alternatively, the tumbler pill dispensers may include electricalcontacts 32 or wireless power units for transferring power and/orcommunication between the tumbler pill dispensers. The electricalcontacts 32 may be included on one or both sides of the tumbler pilldispensers.

FIG. 33 illustrates how the front edge of the tumbler pill dispenser canbe lit via LEDs 33 and light pipe on the edge to let the consumer knowwhat pill to dispense/consume. The functionality of the lighting will bediscussed in more detail below in connection with the control systems.

FIGS. 34-36 illustrate a plurality of tumbler pill dispensers 1300interfacing with a master unit 1302. The tumbler pill dispensers 1300can stack on either side of the master unit 1302. The master unit mayinclude a power supply or connection to a power source and can passpower to the pill dispensers 1300 via electrical contacts or wirelessly.The master unit 1302 can include a touch screen 1304 and memory forstoring data such as inventory, reminders, reordering and consumerprofiles. The master unit may be capable of interfacing with the tumblerpill dispensers 1300 or with other devices via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. FIG.35 shows one embodiment where the master unit 1302 interfaces with theslave pill dispenser containers via electrical contacts 1306. Theelectrical contacts 1306 on the pill dispensers 1300 and the master unit1302 can transfer power via electrical contacts and can include magnetsor other connectors to lock the pill dispensers in place. FIG. 36illustrates a travel case stacked on top of the master unit. Pillsdispensed from the tumbler dispensers can be conveniently moved to thetravel case.

III. Push-to-Operate Dispenser

A pill dispenser in accordance with one aspect of the present inventionis shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and generally designated 300. The pilldispenser 300 is for use with a conventional pill bottle 312 and,generally speaking, is a push-to-operate type pill dispenser. The pillbottle 312 is standard and may contain a large number of capsules,tablets, pills, etc., collectively referred to herein as “pills.” Thoughthe bottle 312 may contain many pills, the pill dispenser 300 isconfigured to dispense one pill at a time.

The pill dispenser 300 generally includes an inner shell or housing 313,an outer shell or housing 316, and one or more springs 314 enclosedwithin the inner and outer housings 313 and 316. The inner housing 313is a substantially box-shaped member that includes a threaded neck 320that can be releasably screwed onto an externally threaded,standard-sized mouth 321 of the pill bottle 312. A side wall 322 of theinner housing 313 includes a window 324 communicating with the neck 320via a substantially funnel-shaped interior chamber 326 of the innerhousing 313.

The inner housing 313 also includes a lower surface 328 that closes offthe lower portion of the inner housing 313. One or more springs 314 aremounted or affixed to the exterior side of the lower surface 328. In theexemplary embodiment, the pill dispenser 300 is illustrated using foursprings 314; however, it should be easily understood that more or fewersprings could be used. The lower surface 328 may have an opening (notshown) therethrough, the purpose of which will be described hereinafter.

The outer housing 316 is a substantially box-shaped member sized toreceive the inner housing 313 therewithin. A side wall 330 of the outerhousing 316 includes a dispenser window 332 and a presentation ledge 334positioned just below the dispenser window 332. A guide post (not shown)extends upwardly from a base 336 of the outer housing 316 and ispositioned within the interior of outer housing 316.

When the components of the pill dispenser 300 are assembled, the one ormore springs 314 are bounded by the lower surface 328 of the innerhousing 313 and the base 336 of the outer housing 316. Further, althoughnot shown, the guide post of the outer housing 316 extends through theopening in the lower surface 328 of the inner housing 313.

In use, the pill dispenser 300 is screwed onto the mouth 321 of the pillbottle 312. The pill bottle 312 is then inverted and the pill dispenser300 may be set on its base 336 onto a support surface, such as a tableor shelf, with the inverted pill bottle 312 extending up from the pilldispenser 300. In this original position, the pills will fall into theinterior 326 of the pill dispenser 300. To dispense a pill, a usersimply depresses the pill bottle 312 while it is sitting on its base 336on the support surface. Depressing the pill bottle 312 of pushes theinner housing 313 down into the outer housing 316, compressing theenclosed one or more springs 314. When the inner housing 313 isdepressed to a predetermined position, the window 324 of the innerhousing 313 and the dispenser window 332 of the outer housing 316 arealigned such that a pill can fall through the windows 324 and 332 andonto the ledge 334, accessible through the side wall 330 of the outerhousing 316 to the user. The guide post (not shown) may include anangled upper surface such that it encourages pills to fall into andthrough the windows 324 and 332. Further, the funnel-shaped interior 326of the inner housing 313 and the angled surface of the guide post bothwork to guide the pills through the aligned windows 324 and 332. Oncethe pill has been dispensed, the user can release the pill bottle 312,and the compressed one or more springs 314 will return the inner housing313 to the original position. In the original position, the windows 324and 332 are not aligned, thereby preventing pills from being dispensed.The pill dispenser 300 could be provided as a retrofit cap to existingbottles and containers, or could be provided in the sale of the pills.

Though the pill dispenser 300 is shown as having a rectangular geometricshape, other suitable shapes, such as circular, are also contemplated.Further, Applicants have found that proper sizing of the windows 324 and332 helps with proper dispensing of the pills. For example, the windows324 and 332 may be sized to be substantially 110% to 150% of the size ofthe intended pill. Accordingly, it is contemplated that the overall sizeof the pill dispenser 300 and the dimensions of the features thereof canbe scaled up or down, relative to the size of the particular pill,tablet, capsule, etc. intended to be used with the pill dispenser 300.

Referring now to FIGS. 9, 10 and 25, according to another embodiment,the multiple pill dispensers 300 may be joined together to create afamily of dispensers. In this embodiment, the pill dispenser 300 alsoincludes magnets 315. The magnets 315 are disposed on opposed side walls338 of the inner housing 313. It should also be understood that themagnets 315 could also be positioned on the side walls of the outerhousing 316 instead; on either the interior or exterior of the outerhousing 316. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 25, multiple pill dispensers 300and bottles 312 can be aligned and magnetically secured together tocreate a reconfigurable grouping of dispensers.

IV. Twist-to-Operate Dispenser

A pill dispenser in accordance with one aspect of the present inventionis shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 23A-C and generally designated 400. Thepill dispenser 400 is for use with a conventional pill bottle 412 and,generally speaking, is a twist-to-operate type pill dispenser. The pilldispenser 400 is configured to dispense one pill at a time.

The pill dispenser 400 generally includes a rotating cap 417, a threadedcollar 418, and a rotating funnel 419. The rotating cap 417 is asubstantially disc-shaped member that includes a dispensing window 424opening therethrough. A lower surface 428 of the rotating cap 417includes a downwardly extending post (not shown), the purpose of whichwill be described hereinafter.

The threaded collar 418 includes an upper surface 430 with anintermediate window 432 and a center hole 434 therethrough. The threadedcollar 418 also includes a flange or collar 436 that depends down fromthe perimeter of the upper surface 430; the collar 436 is internallythreaded and may be releasably screwed onto the externally threaded,standard-sized mouth 421 of the pill bottle 412.

The rotating funnel 419 includes a center boss 438, an outer flange 440,and an interior window 442. The rotating funnel 419 also includes afunnel 444 that transitions from a lower surface 446 of the outer flange440 to the interior window 442.

When the components of the pill dispenser 400 are assembled, thethreaded collar 418 is disposed between the rotating cap 417 androtating funnel 419. The post (not shown) of the rotating cap 417 passesthrough the center hole 434 of the threaded collar 418 and is receivedin the center boss 438 of the rotating funnel 419. The post and centerboss 438 may include an alignment feature to ensure that when thecomponents are assembled the dispensing window 424 and interior window442 are aligned.

In use, the pill dispenser 400 is screwed onto the mouth 421 of the pillbottle 412. The user may turn the rotating cap 417, which also turns therotating funnel 419, because the two components are connected by theirrespective post and center boss 438. The rotating cap 417 is selectivelyturned until all three windows—the dispensing window 424, theintermediate window 432, and the interior window 442—are aligned,defining an open position in which the pills therein may be dispensed.The pill bottle 412 may be turned upside-down or angled down, and thepills drop into the funnel 444 and are directed toward the alignedwindows 421, 432, and 424. The windows 421, 432, and 424 are sized suchthat a single pill will be dispensed at a time. If the pills aretemporarily stuck, the pill bottle 412 can be shook, to dislodge anystuck pills. Once the proper number of pills has been dispensed, therotating cap and funnel 417 and 419 can be turned, such that the windows421, 432, and 424 are not aligned, thereby preventing additional pillsfrom being dispensed.

A pill dispenser in accordance with another aspect of the presentinvention is shown in FIGS. 48-50 and generally designated 600. The pilldispenser 600 is for use with a conventional pill bottle (not shown)and, generally speaking, is a twist-to-operate type pill dispenser. Thepill dispenser 600 is configured to dispense one pill at a time.

The pill dispenser 600 generally includes a rotating cap 617 and ahousing 618. The rotating cap 617 is a substantially disc-shaped memberthat includes a dispensing window 624 opening therethrough. A lowersurface 628 of the rotating cap 617 includes a downwardly extending post(not shown), the purpose of which will be described hereinafter.

The housing 618 includes a threaded collar 636 that depends down fromthe perimeter of the housing 618; the collar 636 is internally threadedand may be releasably screwed onto the externally threaded,standard-sized mouth of a pill bottle (not shown). An upper surface 630of the housing 618 includes two or more openings 632 and a center boss(not shown) therethrough. The housing 618 also includes two or morefunnels 619 that transition from a lower surface 646 of the housing 618to the openings 632 through the upper surface 630 of the housing 618. Inthe illustrated example, the funnels 619 are shown as being arrangedside-by-side across the diameter of the housing 618; however, otherconfigurations are also contemplated here. For example, the two funnels619 may be tangent or radially spaced. Further, more or fewer funnelsare also contemplated.

When the components of the pill dispenser 600 are assembled, the post(not shown) of the rotating cap 617 is received in the center boss ofthe housing 618. The post and center boss may include a retentionfeature to ensure that the components remain assembled.

In use, the pill dispenser 600 is screwed onto the mouth of a pillbottle. The user may turn the rotating cap 617 to align the dispensingwindow 624 with one of the openings 632, defining an open position inwhich the pills therein may be dispensed. The pill bottle can be turnedupside-down or angled down, and pills will drop into the funnels 619 andbe directed toward the openings 632. The pill that falls into the funnel619 that is aligned with the dispensing window 624 will be dispensed,the other pill that falls into the second funnel 619 is “loaded”. Withthe pill bottle still inverted, or at least angled down, the user mayagain turn the rotating cap 617 until the dispensing window 624 isaligned with the second funnel 619, to dispense a second pill. Thefunnels 619 are sized such that a single pill will be dispensed by each.If the pills are temporarily stuck, the pill bottle can be shook todislodge any stuck pills. Once the proper number of pills has beendispensed, the rotating cap 617 can be turned, such that the dispensingwindow 624 is no longer aligned with either of the openings 632, therebypreventing additional pills from being dispensed.

V. Flip-to-Operate Dispenser

A pill dispenser in accordance with one aspect of the present inventionis shown in FIGS. 13-16 and 24A-B and generally designated 500. The pilldispenser 500 is for use with a conventional pill bottle 512 and,generally speaking, is a flip-to-operate type pill dispenser. The pilldispenser 500 is configured to dispense one pill at a time.

The pill dispenser 500 generally includes a cap 520 and a housing 522.The cap 520 is a generally (inverted) cup-shaped member and includes aninterior space or chamber 524 and a ramped surface, referred to hereinas ramp 526, disposed on an interior surface of the cap 520. The cap 520is hingedly mounted to the housing 522. It is contemplated that the cap520 includes a feature to keep the cap 520 closed when not in use, andeven when inverted. Such features may include a detent nub, a latch, orother suitable means for selectively retaining the cap 520 in the closedposition.

The housing 522 includes a flange or collar 528, and a tray 530 andopening 532 disposed on an upper surface 534 of the housing 522. Thecollar 528 is internally threaded and may be releasably screwed onto theexternally threaded, standard-sized mouth 521 of the pill bottle 512. Inthe illustrated example, the tray 530 and opening 532 substantiallysplit or evenly divide the upper surface 534. Further, in theillustrated example, the tray 530 and opening 532 are arrangedside-by-side in a fore-aft relationship with respect to the hinge thatmounts the cap 520. Of course, other side-by-side arrangements are alsocontemplated herein. Further, although not shown in the drawings, theunderside of the housing 522 includes a sloped surface or funnel. Thefunnel is disposed under the tray 530 and is sloped toward the opening532 to assist in funneling pills in the bottle toward the opening 532.

Referring now to FIG. 14B, Applicants have discovered an effectiverelationship between the size of the tray 530 and opening 532 relativeto the size of the intended-use pill. For example, the opening 532 maybe sized to be in the range of 125-150% wider and 125-150% longer thanthe pill for which the pill dispenser 500 is designed for use with. Moreparticularly, the opening 532 may be sized approximately 125% of thewidth and 125% of the length of the intended pill. Similarly, the tray530 may be sized to be in the range of 125-150% wider and 125-150%longer than the pill for which the pill dispenser 500 is designed foruse with. More particularly, the tray 530 may be sized approximately125% of the width and 125% of the length of the intended pill. Inanother embodiment, it is contemplated that the tray 530 could belarger, to capture more than one pill. In this embodiment, to capturetwo pills on the tray 530, the tray 530 could be sized approximately225% of the width and 125% of the length of a single pill.Alternatively, the tray 530 could be sized approximately 125% of thewidth and 225% of the length of a single pill.

Further, Applicants have discovered an effective relationship betweenthe height of the chamber 524 relative to the size of the intended-usepill. For example, the chamber 524 height may be sized to be in therange of 125-150% of the width of the pill for which the pill dispenser500 is designed for use with. More particularly, the chamber 524 heightmay be sized to be approximately 132% of the width of the intended pill.

In use, the pill dispenser 500 is screwed onto the mouth 521 of the pillbottle 512. The pill bottle 512 may be flipped upside-down by the user,and then back upright. Inverting the bottle will cause a pill to fallthrough the opening 532 and onto the tray 530. The pill will be trappedon the tray 530 for dispensing to a user when the bottle 512 is returnedupright. As described above, a detent feature in the cap 520 willprevent the cap 520 from opening until selectively opened by the user.The features of the cap 520 and housing 522 are cooperatively arrangedto encourage a pill fall through the opening 532 and land on the tray530. For example, the ramp 526 in the cap 520 is disposed above theopening 532 in the housing 522 such that, when the pill dispenser 500and bottle 512 are inverted, a pill will fall through the opening 532and be directed by the ramp 526 toward the tray 530. Also, as describedabove, the funnel on the underside of the tray 530 is sloped toward theopening 532 to assist in guiding or funneling a pill toward the opening532. The pill bottle 512 can be shook, to encourage a pill to fallthrough the opening 532 if needed.

VI. Push-to-Operate Dispenser II

A pill dispenser in accordance with one aspect of the present inventionis shown in FIGS. 58-66 and generally designated 700. The pill dispenser700 may be used with a conventional pill bottle and inner housing,similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9. Generally speaking, thepill dispenser 700 is a push-to-operate type pill dispenser.

The pill dispenser 700 generally includes a housing 716 that is asubstantially box-shaped member. A front wall 730 of the housing 716includes a dispenser window 732 and a presentation ledge 734 positionedjust below the dispenser window 732. The interior of the housing 716includes a substantially funnel-shaped interior chamber 718 that taperstoward the front wall 730 and a base 720 of the housing 716.

The pill dispenser 700 includes a push bar 740 disposed on the interiorof the housing 716, below the chamber 718 and adjacent the base 720. Achannel 742 is arranged in the housing 716 near the base 720 and extendsfrom a rear to the front wall 730 of the housing 716. The push bar 740is slidably disposed within the channel 742. Further, the push bar 740protrudes out an aperture 744 located in a rear wall of the housing 716.

The push bar 740 includes a substantially rigid portion 746 and aflexible portion 748. In the illustrated example, the flexible portion748 is formed of chain linked links. An uppermost link 750 includes aT-bar 752 and an angled pill scoop 754. The T-bar 752 is received in acoordinating slot 756 disposed in an interior surface of the front wall730 of the housing 716.

In use, pills may be placed into the funnel-shaped interior chamber 718of the pill dispenser 700. The pills fall toward the bottom of thechamber 718 and atop the pill scoop 754. To dispense a pill, a user 7may push in the rigid portion 746 of the push bar 740, which in turnpushes the flexible portion 748 up. The pill scoop 754 is sized suchthat a single pill will be lifted as the flexible portion 748 anduppermost link 750 rise. When the uppermost link 750 reaches its highestpoint, illustrated in FIG. 65, the pill scoop 754 and dispenser window732 are aligned such that a pill can fall through the window 732 andonto the ledge 734. The angled surface of the pill scoop 754 encouragespills to fall into and through the dispenser window 732. Further, thefunnel-shaped interior chamber 718 of the housing 716 and the angledsurface of the uppermost link 750 both work to guide t46he pills throughthe dispenser window 732. Once the pill has been dispensed, the user canpull the push bar 740 back out to the original position.

Though the pill dispenser 700 is shown as having a rectangular geometricshape, other suitable shapes, such as circular, are also contemplated.The sizing of the window 732 may help with proper dispensing of thepills. For example, the window 732 may be sized to be substantially 110%to 150% of the size of the intended pill. Accordingly, it iscontemplated that the overall size of the pill dispenser 700 and thedimensions of the features thereof can be scaled up or down, relative tothe size of the particular pill, tablet, capsule, etc. intended to beused with the pill dispenser 700.

VII. Control System

The various aspects of the invention may include a control system. Forexample, the various embodiments of the screw conveyor dispenser,tumbler dispenser, and pill cap dispensers may include a control system.The control system can perform a variety of different functions and caninclude a variety of different components depending on the application.For example, the control system may include a sensor system for sensinginformation such as when a pill has been dispensed or when a pill caphas been opened or closed. The control system may include a motor thatwhen driven can automatically or semi-automatically dispense a pill. Thecontrol system may include a communication system for communicating withanother dispenser, a master unit, or with another device such as auser's phone, laptop, tablet, or other personal device. The controlsystem can include an input such as a button or touch screen fordispensing a pill. The control system can include an output such as alight or speaker. The control system can also include a power source orpower connector for transferring or receiving power.

One embodiment of a control system 1000 for a dispenser is illustratedin FIG. 46. The FIG. 46 embodiment includes a controller 1002, a sensorsystem 1004, a motor 1014, a communication system 1006, an output 1008,an input 1010, and power 1012. Another embodiment of a control system1000 for a dispenser is illustrated in FIG. 47. In the FIG. 47embodiment, the control system does not include a motor. Further, FIG.47 illustrates a device having its own control system 1020 that includesa sensor system 1024, a communication system 1022, and a power source1032. The device can be a smart phone, laptop, tablet, other personaldevice, or another dispenser. The two depicted embodiments illustratingcontrol systems are illustrative and are not meant to be exhaustive.Different control systems may include additional, fewer, or differentcomponents than the depicted control systems. A number of differentoptional features are described below that can be implemented with atleast one of the depicted control systems or another alternativeembodiment of a control system.

A. Communication

A dispenser can optionally include circuitry for dispensing based oncommunication between a device and the dispenser. A device or deviceprofile may be associated with a user such that the device cancommunicate with a dispenser and dispense based on the communication.For example, a regimen can be communicated from the device to thedispenser. Alternatively, the dispenser may be programmed and dispensein response to identifying the user is in proximity to the dispenser.

FIGS. 37A-D illustrate four communication scenarios that can beimplemented in the various aspects of the invention. FIG. 37Aillustrates a scenario where three pill dispenser modules 1302, 1304,1306 and a mobile device 1308 each contain a communication systemcapable of Blue Tooth Low Energy (BTLE) communication. Command andcontrol may reside in the mobile application on the smart phone 1308that is in communication with each of the pill dispensers 1306. Eachpill dispenser can be powered by a separate battery or power can berouted to each container from a central power source. FIG. 37Billustrates a scenario where a master pill dispenser 1310 communicatesthrough BTLE to a mobile device 1308. The master pill dispenser 1310 cancommunicate to one or more slave pill dispensers 1312 containers. Forexample, the mobile device 1308 can communicate instructions todispense, which can be relayed to the appropriate slave pill dispenser1310. The communication between the master pill dispenser 1310 and theslave pill dispensers can occur on essentially any communicationprotocol, such as One-Wire, I2C, or SPI. Power may be passed along sidecommunication via a bus (or in the case of One-Wire, as part of thebus). FIG. 37C illustrates another scenario where a master pillcontainer 1310 communicates through BTLE to a mobile device 1308. Justas in the previous scenario, the master pill dispenser can communicateto slave pill dispensers 1312, telling them when a command has beenreceived to dispense. However, in this embodiment, power andcommunication can be wirelessly transmitted from the master pilldispenser 1310. Commands can be sent via in-band communication scheme toeach dispenser. FIG. 37D illustrates another scenario where a masterpill dispenser can communicate via BLTE to a mobile device 1308. In thisembodiment, the master pill dispenser 1310 can selectively turn on slavepill dispensers 1312 by resonating a magnetic field at a matchedresonant frequency of the target slave pill dispenser. This resonantelement 1314 in the slave pill dispenser 1312 can be series or paralleland the value of the resonant element for each slave pill dispenser 1312can be different. This way, multiple slave pill dispensers 1312 can bein the field and selectively chosen without logic in the slave pilldispensers 1312. If the slave and master share a common dispense tube,then the master can use an optical and/or proximity sensor (such asinfrared) to sense when a pill has been dispensed and turn off the fieldafter the pill has been dispensed. In the current embodiment, the slavedispensers can be made less expensive because the only electricalcomponents included may be a coil, rectifier, and motor.

FIG. 38A illustrates another communication scenario where master pilldispensers 1310 can communicate to a mobile device 1308 with BTLE. Themaster 1310 can selectively turn on slave pill dispensers 1312 byresonating a magnetic field at a matched resonant frequency of thetarget. The resonant element 1314 in the container can be series orparallel. The slave pill dispensers 1312 can monitor when a pill isdispensed and modulate the magnetic field by closing switch 1316 inorder to temporarily include impedance element 1318 in the circuit. Themaster 1310 can monitor the field for a change to the signal caused bythe change in impedance, which indicates that a pill has been dispensedand can then disable the field providing power to the slave 1312. Inthis embodiment, the cost of a slave pill dispenser can be kept lowbecause the amount of electrical components are reduced to essentially acoil/cap, rectifier, motor, switch, impedance element, and an optical orother sensor that drives the impedance when tripped.

FIG. 38B illustrates a control system for use with essentially any ofthe pill cap dispensers discussed above. In the depicted embodiment, thepill cap dispenses one pill at a time and includes electronic componentsthat can track and communicate when a pill has been dispensed.Specifically, the smart pill dispense tracker components may include aproximity sensor 1402, a BLTE module 1404, and a battery 1406. The smartpill dispense tracker can be implemented in a variety of different pillcap dispensers that are adapted to attach to a disposable pill container1410. The replacement lid or pill cap dispenser can be replaceable amongdifferent pill types. The BTLE module 1406 allows the user to track howmany pills have been dispensed, how many are left, and usage patternsamong other things. The proximity sensor 1402 may be an accelerometer,infrared detector, push button, or capacitive sensor that can detecteither when a pill has been dispensed or when there has been movementassociated with the smart pill dispense tracker.

B. Pill Identification

The various aspects of the invention can dispense pills of variousshapes, sizes, and types. A pill dispenser control system can dispensepills based on a variety of factors. For example, a pill dispensercontrol system can dispense pills from multiple pill dispensers tailoredfor a specific user. In one embodiment, the pill dispenser controlsystem can identify or is programmed with the identify of a plurality ofdifferent types of pills and their location in a specific pilldispenser.

Referring to FIG. 29, the identification can be automatic,semi-automatic, or manual. FIG. 29 illustrates several processes ofidentifying which pills are in the different containers of the pilldispenser. The manual identification processes refer to a user inputtinginformation for each pill type and which pill dispenser the pill islocated in. Semi-automatic identification refers to a process where someinformation is provided, but the control system provides assistance inthe identification. The automatic identification process may beimplemented without input from the user at all, or with input from theuser the first time a pill is initiated in the system. Using anautomatic identification process, a user can pour pills into a pilldispenser or install a pill container into a pill dispenser and the pilldispenser system automatically identifies the pills.

Automatic pill identification can be implemented a number of differentways using a variety of different sensors. In general, a uniquesignature of a known pill can be obtained and saved in memory forcomparison to unknown pills and automatic identification. The uniquesignatures can be pre-programmed in the pill dispensing system.Alternatively, or in addition, the pill dispensing system may have thecapability to create new unique signatures for unrecognized pills, asillustrated in FIG. 40. If it is the pill dispensing system's first timeseeing a pill, an initialization process can be implemented to recordthe signature of the pill using an accelerometer, Raman spectroscopy,characteristics of a digital image (e.g. pixel count, intensity, etc.),or essentially any other signature methodology. The signature can thenbe saved in a look-up table with the identity of the pill, obtained fromthe user. In the future, unknown pills can be compared to that signatureand matching signatures can be identified as the pill type identifiedduring this initialization process.

FIG. 40 illustrates a stored and test signature obtained using Ramanspectroscopy. Raman spectroscopy involves a frequency spectrum of lightbeing recorded. Based on characteristics of the pill certain moleculesin the pill are excited by light and emit a response of a certainwavelength. This depends on the makeup of the pill and by identifyingpeaks in the signature a unique response can be associated with thepill. A small camera in the device could also be used to identify pills.As they travel into the pill container or hopper a picture can be taken.The RGB plans can be broken up and the image intensity can be analyzedproviding information about what that pill looks like. This can identifythe pill or if it is coupled with another method, may assist inidentifying the pill type.

One embodiment of automatic identification makes use of anaccelerometer, pressure sensor, or force sensor. For example, in thetumbler pill dispenser or conveyor pill dispenser, a sensor candetermine a force signature of pills hitting the sensor as the dispenserrotates. This signature is unique or statistically reliably differentamong different types of pills such that the force signature of unknownpills can be compared to a stored table of force signatures in order todetermine the type of pill. The signatures can be learned by the pilldispenser system through a user assisted process by which the userprovides pills unknown by the system, the system collects a forcesignature and prompts the user to identify the pills. From then on, whenthe pill dispenser control system detects that force signature, it canidentify them correctly as the pills that the user initially identifiedduring initialization. Instead of a force sensor, a camera or imagingsystem may be used instead. The camera or imaging system can take apicture of pills, calculate characteristics of the image and store thatinformation into a look-up table. Those characteristics can be comparedto new images when unknown pills are provided to the system. Matchingcharacteristics can be used to determine the pill type. Yet anotherembodiment of automatic identification may include use of a Ramanspectroscopy. A sensor can conduct a spectrum analysis of pills andgenerate a Raman spectroscopy signature, which can be stored in alook-up table. A spectrum analysis of unknown pills can be conducted andthe resultant signature can be compared to known Raman spectroscopysignatures in order to identify the type of pills.

One embodiment of semi-automatic identification includes a camera phonewhere a user can take a picture of a pill and define which pilldispenser the pills are located in. For example, the control systemprompts the user to select the dispenser where pills are being loaded,take a picture of the pill or pills being loaded, and then from thepicture the user's device can identify the type of pill, how often itshould be taken, dosage, etc. by looking up the information in adatabase based on the image of the pill.

In another embodiment of semi-automatic identification, an RFID tag isassociated with different pill containers. As the container is fillingthe pill dispenser, the RFID tag communicates with the pill dispensercontrol system to identify the type of pill so that the control systemcan store the contents of that pill dispenser.

One embodiment of a manual identification process includes predefinedpill dispensers. The pill dispenser system includes a plurality of pilldispensers, each of which have pre-defined labels, such as multivitamin,pain killer, vitamin C. The user loads different types of pills into theappropriate pre-defined pill dispensers.

Another manual identification process includes identifying the pill typeand pill dispenser loading location on a personal device thatcommunicates that information to the pill dispenser control system. Forexample, an application on a user's smart phone may have a picture of apill dispenser system setup where the user can select a pill dispenserand select the pill type from a drop down box, which is thencommunicated to the pill dispenser system so that it knows the locationof those pills in the system.

Pill identification can be conducted based on identification of the pillcontainer instead of the pills themselves. For example, a pill containermay include an RFID tag, bar code, physical selection key, or anotheridentifier. FIG. 43A illustrates one embodiment a pill bottle bottomidentification code interfacing with a pill dispenser system. The pillbottle bottom is molded with a physical pattern or selection key suchthat when installed in a pill dispenser, a set of actuators are actuatedand push buttons are activated according to the selection key pattern.FIG. 43C illustrates a perspective view of a hinge/spring or livingspring actuator that can flex to activate one of the push buttons. FIG.43B illustrates a top view of the living hinge actuator. In the depictedembodiment, there are six actuators that can be activated. Three of theactuators are activated because the bottom of the pill bottle interfaceswith the actuator in order. Three of the actuators are not activatedbecause the bottom of the pill bottle includes a molded recess toaccommodate those actuators. The result is that three of the pushbuttonsare pressed and a bottle ID of 101001 is provided to the pill dispensercontrol system. The pill dispenser control system may include a look-uptable where the identity of the pills in that bottle ID can be lookedup. If that bottle ID is unknown, the system may prompt the user toprovide information about the pills in that bottle so that it can beadded to the look-up table.

In one embodiment, once a pill bottle is identified, information can beretrieved from an application, look-up table, or from the Internet basedon the identification. For example, using a product ID, product count,product type, package size, use limits and recommendations, used withand not used with information, and life information can be obtained andused to intelligently dispense pills. For example, if two pills shouldnot be taken together the pill dispensing system can coordinate theirdispensing so that they are both not dispensed during a disallowed timeperiod. The dispenser may have a dispenser ID that is associated with ausage schedule, inventory on hand, reorder triggers, user records andusage, dispenser serial number, products being used, and diagnosticinformation. The user device may have a user ID that includes useridentification settings, access and security settings, inventorycontrol, reordering, scheduling, recommendations, product and usagepromotions, health feedback and suggestions, software upgrades for theapplication and the dispenser software or firmware, notifications,diagnostics, warranty and service information, and product and traininginformation.

In one embodiment, additional resolution for identification can beobtained by combining multiple identification methods. Accelerometersand pressure sensors might not be able to identify a pill precisely, butas the device rotates and the pills fall, they can fall on anaccelerometer. The recorded peaks will vary with the size and shape ofthe pill. This can provide a first level of identification for pills bysorting them into certain categories such as large or small, round orrectangle and then a camera or spectroscopy methods could be used toidentify the pill exactly. Alternatively, the user may be provided witha list of possible pill types and they could complete theidentification.

C. Scheduling

The pill dispenser control system can interact with a user's personaldevice in order to facilitate various scheduling functionality. Forexample, FIGS. 28A-D illustrates several screenshots from a smart phoneapplication that can communicate with a pill dispensing control system.FIG. 28A illustrates an application interfacing with a user's calendarthat can mark days the user missed their pills. The application cantrack and provide the user an adherence percentage showing how oftenthey take their pills. In the current embodiment a general adherencevalue is provided for all pill adherence, but the adherence value couldbe provided for individual or groups of pills. FIG. 28B illustrates theapplication notifying the user of an upcoming trip based on theircalendar and reminds them to plan ahead by filling up their travel pillcase. FIG. 28C illustrates the application pill profile for a user. Thisshows the pills this user is taking, how often and when they should takethem, and where the pill is located in the dispenser. In this way, thesmart phone can communicate intelligently with the pill dispensingsystem to control dispensing. FIG. 28D illustrates reordering capabilityof an application. The personal device can track pill levels andautomatically reorder pills when the amount of pills falls past athreshold.

D. User Identification and Security

In some embodiments, the pill dispenser control system may be programmedto identify a user is in proximity to the pill dispenser system. Forexample, the pill dispenser control system may include a communicationsystem or proximity detection system that can detect a user's personaldevice. The dispenser can interface with a user's personal device suchas a smart phone or weight management device in order to tailor theuser's pill dispenser experience.

The user's device may specifically communicate a user ID to the pilldispenser system. Alternatively, the user's device may communicateidentifying information that the pill dispenser system can use toidentify the user. For example, a user's weight management device (e.g.,such as a wrist band) may communicate various biometrics or otheridentifying information about an individual. The user's device may storeor have access to information about the user such as heart rate, pulse,activity level, location data, prescriptions, or other biometric orpersonal information. These metrics may allow the pill dispenser systemto identify the user. When the person comes into proximity of the pilldispenser, the personal device can communicate with the dispenser systemso that they can be identified. Once identified, the pill dispensersystem can operate based on a user's pill profile in order to dispensethe appropriate pills. This identification can also provide security bylocking the pill dispenser and only providing access to the pillsassociated with an authorized user.

The various aspects of the invention may include a pill dispensercontrol system that implements security for pill dispensing. Forexample, FIG. 39 illustrates a locking feature. In general, in hisembodiment, when a person comes in proximity of the dispenser, onlypills that they are allowed to take can be dispensed and all other pilldispensers are locked. The lock can lock the user out so that the pillscannot be manually accessed and also so that the user cannot remotelyinstruct a pill dispense from an unauthorized dispenser. The pilldispensing system can return to a locked state unless an authorized useris in proximity interfacing with it.

Although much of the description is written within the context of pillsand pill dispensers, items other than pills can be dispensed from thedispensers. For example, in FIG. 39, a child interfaces with adispensing system that includes a plurality of vitamins and supplements,but also includes a container with candy. Parents have programmed thedispensing system to allow the child to obtain 10 pieces of candy a weekso that they learn responsibility and good habits, but they don't haveaccess to the adult medication in the dispenser such as heart medicationor birth control. Since the dispenser can handle small pills, it mayalso be used for candy in order to restrict the amount of candy a childwould be allowed throughout a day, week, or other time period. Theparents can set the limits and then after it was reached, the childwould be locked out. This can teach good habits and how to portion outthe candy allotment for the day or week without the parents having togovern it themselves. Not only can parents set their personal parametersfrom their personal device such as a smart phone, they can also set theparameters for their children and allow more or less candy as anincentive tool, for example. The dispenser can also read otherinformation off of a fitness tracker or other personal device when youcome into proximity with it. The dispensing system can be programmed todispense on other factors as well. It can dispense based on weight, age,activity, other factors, or a combination thereof. For example,overweight people may be restricted from candy until they have recordedmore than 5000 steps that day. This can also be used for adults if theywant a piece of candy or a treat and they can only get it if they havetaken enough steps.

E. Notifications

The pill dispenser control system may include a notification system fornotifying a user of various events. For example, the pill dispensercontrol system may include lighting or speakers that can be activated inorder to notify a user that it is time for a pill to be taken. Inaddition, the pill dispenser control system may determine that a dosagehas been missed. For example, if the control system includes a motion, alack of activity in the sensor for a threshold amount of time cantrigger a notification. Similarly, an accelerometer can count how manypills dispensed and notify the user by flashing or turning on an LEDthat pills should be reordered.

U.S. application Ser. No. 13/455,634 entitled PILL DISPENSER, filed onApr. 25, 2012 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Directional terms, such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,”“upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “inwardly,” “outer” and “outwardly,” are usedto assist in describing the invention based on the orientation of theembodiments shown in the illustrations. The use of directional termsshould not be interpreted to limit the invention to any specificorientation(s).

The above description is that of current embodiments of the invention.Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from thespirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles ofpatent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure ispresented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as anexhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limitthe scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated ordescribed in connection with these embodiments. For example, and withoutlimitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may bereplaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similarfunctionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes,for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those thatmight be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternativeelements that may be developed in the future, such as those that oneskilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative.Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features thatare described in concert and that might cooperatively provide acollection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to onlythose embodiments that include all of these features or that provide allof the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly setforth in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements in thesingular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” isnot to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A dispenser for abottle, the dispenser comprising: an inner housing having: a side wallwith a window formed therethrough, a threaded neck adapted to mount toan externally threaded bottle, and a funnel-shaped interior chambercommunicating between the neck and the window; an outer housing having:a base adapted to support the dispenser and bottle, a side wall with adispenser window formed therethrough, and a ledge disposed on the sidewall and below the dispenser window; and one or more spring membersdisposed between the inner and outer housings; wherein setting thedispenser upon the outer housing base and depressing the bottle alignsthe window and dispenser window such that an article contained withinthe interior chamber falls through the aligned windows and onto theledge for dispensing to a user.
 2. The dispenser of claim 1, including aguide post extending up from the base of the outer housing and adaptedto extend through an opening in a lower surface of the inner housing. 3.The dispenser of claim 2, wherein the guide post includes an angledupper surface such that it encourages articles to fall through thealigned windows.
 4. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the one or moresprings are compressed when the windows are aligned, and the springswill return to their uncompressed state where the windows are notaligned, thereby preventing articles from being dispensed.
 5. Thedispenser of claim 1, wherein the inner housing includes magnetsdisposed on a side wall thereof such that multiple dispensers andbottles can be aligned and magnetically secured together to form agrouping of dispensers.
 6. A dispenser for a bottle, the dispensercomprising: a rotatable cap having a dispensing window; a threadedcollar having an intermediate window, a center hole, and an internallythreaded flange adapted to mount to an externally threaded bottle; and arotating funnel having an interior window, and a funnel that taperstoward the interior window; wherein turning the cap selectively alignsthe dispensing window, intermediate window, and interior window, suchthat when the bottle is inverted or angled up-side down an articlecontained within the bottle falls through the aligned windows fordispensing to a user.
 7. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein the capincludes a downwardly extending post and the funnel includes a centerboss.
 8. The dispenser of claim 7, wherein the post of the cap passesthrough the center hole of the threaded collar and is received in thecenter boss of the funnel such that turning the cap also turns thefunnel.
 9. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein the post and center bossmay include an alignment feature to ensure that the dispensing windowand interior window are aligned.
 10. The dispenser of claim 6, whereinthe windows are sized such that a single article will be dispensed at atime.
 11. A dispenser for a bottle, the dispenser comprising: a hingedcap having an ramped surface disposed on an interior thereof; and ahousing including a tray, an opening, and an internally threaded collaradapted to mount to an externally threaded bottle, the cap beinghingedly mounted to the housing; wherein inverting the bottle causes anarticle contained within the bottle to fall through the housing openingand be directed by the ramp on the interior of the cap toward the trayfor dispensing to a user.
 12. The dispenser of claim 11, wherein thehousing includes a funnel on the underside of the tray, the funnel issloped toward the opening to assist in guiding the article toward theopening.
 13. The dispenser of claim 11, wherein the cap includes adetent to prevent the cap from opening until selectively opened by auser.
 14. The dispenser of claim 11, wherein the opening is sized to bein the range of 125-150% wider and 125-150% longer than an article forwhich the dispenser is designed for use.
 15. The dispenser of claim 14,wherein the opening is sized approximately 125% of the width and 125% ofthe length of the article.
 16. The dispenser of claim 11, wherein thetray is sized to be in the range of 125-150% wider and 125-150% longerthan an article for which the dispenser is designed for use.
 17. Thedispenser of claim 16, wherein the tray is sized approximately 125% ofthe width and 125% of the length of the article.
 18. The dispenser ofclaim 11, wherein the tray is sized about 225% of the width and 125% ofthe length of a single article for which the dispenser is designed foruse so as to dispense two articles at a time.
 19. The dispenser of claim11, wherein the tray is sized about 125% of the width and 225% of thelength of a single article for which the dispenser is designed for useso as to dispense two articles at a time.
 20. The dispenser of claim 11,wherein the cap defines a chamber therewithin, and the chamber height issized to be in the range of 125-150% of the width of the article forwhich the dispenser is designed for use.
 21. The dispenser of claim 20,wherein the chamber height is sized to be approximately 132% of thewidth of the article.
 22. A dispenser for a bottle, the dispensercomprising: a rotatable cap having a dispensing window; and a housingincluding at least two funnels that transition from a lower surface toan upper surface of the housing and define at least two openingstherethrough, and a threaded collar adapted to mount to an externallythreaded bottle; wherein rotating the cap selectively aligns thedispensing window and one of the at least two openings of the funnels,such that when the bottle is inverted or angled up-side down an articlecontained within the bottle falls through the aligned dispensing windowand opening for dispensing to a user.
 23. The dispenser of claim 22,wherein the funnels are sloped toward the openings to direct thearticles toward the dispensing window.
 24. The dispenser of claim 22,wherein the cap includes a downwardly extending post and the funnelincludes a center boss and the post is retained by the boss.
 25. Thedispenser of claim 22, wherein articles fall into each of the twofunnels; a first article that falls into a first funnel that is alignedwith the dispensing window will be dispensed, a second article thatfalls into a second funnel is loaded.
 26. The dispenser of claim 25,wherein further rotating the cap to align the dispensing window with thesecond funnel will dispense the second article.
 27. A screw conveyorarticle dispenser comprising: a container including a wall capable ofsupporting a plurality of articles, said container including an openingfor dispensing said plurality of articles; a screw conveyor assemblywithin said container, said screw conveyor assembly including a screwconveyor and a scoop assembly; a motor for rotating said screw conveyorassembly about a screw conveyor axis, wherein in response to saidrotation of said screw conveyor assembly said plurality of articles movealong said screw conveyor axis disposed against said screw conveyor andsaid wall of said container; and wherein in response to said rotation ofsaid screw conveyor assembly, said scoop assembly rotates about saidscrew conveyor axis to receive one or more articles and dispense saidone or more articles through said opening in said container.
 28. Thescrew conveyor article dispenser of claim 27 including a sensor fordetecting said one or more articles have been dispensed, wherein inresponse to detecting said one or more articles have been dispensed,restricting or stopping said motor.
 29. The screw conveyor articledispenser of claim 27 wherein said scoop assembly includes a blockingwall being selectively positionable in a first angular position thatblocks dispensing of said plurality of articles and a second angularposition that allows dispensing of said plurality of articles, whereinin response to said sensor detecting said one or more articles have beendispensed, said motor drives said screw conveyor assembly until saidblocking wall of said scoop assembly is positioned in said first annularposition.
 28. The screw conveyor article dispenser of claim 27 whereinsaid scoop assembly includes an adjustable scoop.
 29. The screw conveyorarticle dispenser of claim 27 wherein said screw conveyor includes aplurality of ribs extending from a screw conveyor axle and connecting toa screw, wherein said ribs assist in positioning and aligning saidarticles on said screw conveyor.
 30. The screw conveyor articledispenser of claim 27 wherein said screw conveyor article dispenserincludes a screw conveyor article dispenser base and one or more screwconveyor article dispenser modules, wherein said one or more screwconveyor article dispenser modules are vertically stackable on top ofsaid screw conveyor article dispenser base and other of said screwconveyor article dispenser modules, wherein said screw conveyor articledispenser base and said one or more screw conveyor article dispensermodules collectively form a common dispensing chute.
 31. The screwconveyor article dispenser of claim 27 wherein said screw conveyorarticle dispenser includes a screw conveyor article dispenser base andone or more screw conveyor article dispenser modules, wherein said oneor more screw conveyor article dispenser modules are vertically orhorizontally stackable and include at least one of electrical contactsand a wireless power unit for communicating at least one of power anddata between said screw conveyor article dispenser base and said one ormore screw conveyor article dispenser modules.
 32. The screw conveyorarticle dispenser of claim 31 wherein said screw conveyor articledispenser dispenses articles according to a regimen in response to auser device coming into proximity of said screw conveyor articledispenser.
 33. The screw conveyor article dispenser of claim 27 whereinsaid screw conveyor article dispenser includes an LED and a controlsystem that controls the LED to provide notification that an article hasnot been dispensed in a threshold amount of time.
 34. The screw conveyorarticle dispenser of claim 27 wherein said screw conveyor articledispenser container and screw conveyor are integrally molded.
 35. Atumbler article dispenser for dispensing one or more articles, saidtumbler article dispenser comprising: a shroud including an opening fordispensing said one or more articles; a container capable of supportinga plurality of articles, said container positioned and rotatable withinsaid shroud, said container including one or more pockets each includingan opening for dispensing said one or more articles in response toalignment of at least one of said one or more pockets with said openingin said shroud; a gear system coupled to said container, wherein saidgear system is configured to rotate said container.
 36. The tumblerarticle dispenser of claim 35 including a housing having a dispensingconduit aligned with said opening in said shroud.
 37. The tumblerarticle dispenser of claim 35 including a housing having a manuallyslidable tray for receiving said one or more articles dispensed throughsaid opening of said shroud, wherein said slidable tray is mechanicallycoupled to said gear system such that sliding said tray results inrotation of said container.
 48. The tumbler article dispenser of claim35 including a housing having a manual trigger mechanically coupled tosaid gear system, wherein in response to actuation of said trigger saidgear system rotates said container.
 41. The tumbler article dispenser ofclaim 35 including a motor coupled to said gear system for rotating saidcontainer.
 42. The tumbler article dispenser of claim 35 wherein saidtumbler article dispenser includes a plurality of tumbler articledispenser modules, wherein said plurality of tumbler article dispensermodules are vertically or horizontally stackable and each include atleast one of electrical contacts and a wireless power unit forcommunicating at least one of power and data.